Childcare a problem for parents working atypical hours

More than two-thirds of parents who do not work normal 8am-6pm hours have problems finding childcare that meets their needs, according to a Daycare Trust survey.

More than two-thirds of parents who do not work normal 8am-6pm hours have problems finding childcare that meets their needs, according to a Daycare Trust survey.

Open All Hours? Flexible Childcare in the 24/7 Era surveyed 400 parents and found 16% worked shifts and 10% worked over 40 hours a week. Forty per cent worked hours that changed week on week. Most had problems finding childcare overnight, at weekends and in the evening. More than half complained about childcare costs and 40 per cent said they had problems finding childcare at short notice.

Anand Shukla, acting chief executive of the Daycare Trust, said: "Our report demonstrates the enormous barriers that parents who work outside typical hours face in accessing childcare.

"Daycare Trust is highlighting this hidden problem faced by so many shift workers ahead of this week’s Budget. Many of these parents are in a weak labour market position, and it is crucial for our economic recovery that parents are practically supported to stay in work."

The study found that those most likely to be working untypical hours are single parents and low-income families.

• Vote  
• 0
• 0
• You already voted!

• Tags:
• Childcare Shift work